Is Disney Attempting to Bring Back Walt-Disney inspired Leadership into its Studios?

In yesterday’s Forbes article – “Disney’s Choice” – Dorothy Pomerantz writes, “Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger unceremoniously fired the popular Dick Cook as head of Walt Disney Studios, a position he had held since 2002.” Not surprising to us, John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer at Pixar and Disney Animation Studios, is a top candidate for Cook’s job. Perhaps Disney CEO Bob Iger envisions John Lasseter infusing Disney Studios with the same “Walt Disney-like” magic that he brings to Pixar. As we write in our upcoming book, Innovate the Pixar Way (see Amazon.com), Bob Iger deserves credit for giving Pixar the autonomy that fosters unbridled creative culture. Like was true of Walt Disney, Pixar isn’t pressured to sacrifice the “story” for the sake of chasing profits and compromising their desire to remain true to who they are. Up, Pixar’s most recent blockbuster, is a classic example John Lasseter’s passion for innovation and quality. John’s credo is “Quality is the best business plan”… one that isn’t shared by many of the profit-driven naysayers. As Pomerantz writes, “…Up was roundly derided by Disney analysts who felt sure that the tale of an old widower setting out on an adventure in a house lifted by balloons would never appeal to children. The movie has since earned $420 million at the worldwide box office and is Disney's seventh-highest grossing film in the U.S.”

John Lasseter said, “We (Pixar) have a company culture that celebrates being pioneers.” Clearly Disney needs more pioneering at this point in time! In Innovate the Pixar Way, we describe how the all-too-often overlooked intangible cultural measures – employee loyalty, freedom and collaboration keep the Pixar “band” playing. Maybe Disney Studios will bring back the Walt Disney-like culture of yore…we are staying tuned!